Charity heliboard- Asian Earthquake
Page creator: Adil Latif
Page closes: 31st Jul 2008
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About the charity : ActionAid ActionAid
ActionAid is a unique partnership of people who are fighting for a better world - a world without poverty. As one of the UK's largest development agencies, we work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, listening to, learning from and working in partnership with over nine million of the world's poorest people.
Charity Registration No 274467
Fundraising target:  £14,000.00
Donations to date:  £ 5,462.00
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Personal message:

 

Hello, my name is Adil and I have been slowly losing my eyesight from the age of 14. I am now 25 and near blind. In April 2007, I performed a heli-drop, which involved me snowboarding down the Trient Glacier in Switzerland.  To read more on my challenge you can visit my blog site:

www.feeltheedge.com

 


Why did I do it?

 


The message that can be taken from my challenge is that if a blind person can be guided through deadly crevices on a glacier, then the challenges or problems (crevices) you have in your life can be overcome. This may require, at times, some guidance and help from people around you; however, never be scared in challenging yourself. 


An important by-product of my challenge is the opportunity to provide 300 children a future by providing them 10 schools to obtain an education and emotional support for the trauma they have gone through.  These children survived the Asian earthquake, but lost everything else.  Please sponsor me if you haven't - It will take a few minutes. Please make my challenge that much more worth while by donating!   

 

To make a donation, please click on the button below.

To read my blog, which has stories of my training and, in general, the ramblings of a blind snowboarder  visit:

www.feeltheedge.com

 


Some more information on the Asian Earthquake:

 

The Asian earthquake killed over 80,000 people together with destroying important institutions such as schools. The children who survived may feel they have lost everything, including a hope for the future. We can not have their family and friends returned to them; however, we can help them to hope for a better future through enabling them to attend Action Aid's child friendly schools.  These schools will provide the children an environment in which they can learn and receive the emotional support to assist them with their trauma.  With your support, we can commission 10 Child Friendly schools, each costing £1,400 with a total cost for 10 schools being £14,000.



Thanks to everyone who sent comments and messages of support. They are greatly appreciated. Please continue sending your comments and questions to:

twistedkilt@hotmail.com.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me - ActionAid will receive your money faster!

If you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.  

 


So please sponsor me now!  

 


Many thanks for your support!  


So Adi......Q&A with Adi:

Q:So Adi, I donated on your previous website www.justgiving.com/adil where did that money go to and can I sponsor you again?

A:Your donations on the previous site had help to save the lives of many people in the earthquake during the emergency situation as the money was used to buy essentials such as blankets and medical supplies.  This site is to help the survivors by providing the children a better future.  I really appreciate your previous donation and if it is financially viable for you to sponsor me again that will be lovely.

 

Q:So Adi, why are you interested in this cause?

A:The October 2005 earthquake in Asia took the most lives for a natural disaster in history.  A lot of children died and it would be great to help in a small way to improve the future of the surviving children.

Q:So Adi, you look Asian, do you have family in the area affected by the earthquake?

A:Nope, though my parents are from South Asia, my mother being from Pakistan and  my father was born in India  . My siblings were born in England somewhere and I was brought into the world in bonny Scotlnd and am a true Glaswegian though working in London .

Q:So Adi how can you snowboard being blind?

AWell I can’t at the moment.  I am perfecting my snowboarding skills as we speak.  I am in good physical health and my weak eyesight doesn’t prevent me from having a strong vision of riding down the mountain.

 

Q:So Adi, how will you be able to see as you are coming down the mountain?  

A: I won’t; I will be wearing a headset through which I will be given directions to hopefully respond at lightening speed…haha.

Q:So Adi, what does it feel like snowboarding near blind?

A:I can feel the vibration under the board.  I find it difficult at times to know in what direction the board is going and at what speed.  There has been a time when my instructor has had mini heart attacks as I pick up a lot of speed and don’t realise it.  However, other times I feel I am moving quite fast but then fall on my backside as I realise that my board is stationary. However, I am confident continuous practice will result in me being more in touch with my board.

Q:So Adi, are you suffering from any psychological distress resulting in you wanting to do something so crazy?

A:I’m not crazy… I’m not crazy… I’m not crazy…Did I mention I’m not crazy?On a serious note, I have discussed my plans with one of the leading authorities within snowboarding, former multiple times British Champion Neil McNab. Neil has faith in the project.


Points of information:

 Point 1:

 Originally the Heli drop (exiting a helicopter and snowboarding down a mountain) was going to take place in November 2006, however the weather conditions in Europe will be more suitable in April 2007 as there will actually be some snow then to snowboard down.

 

 Point 2:

 Apart from being blind and on the ugly side, I can’t yet properly snowboard (Aug 2006), so the challenge is for me to raise the money and to become a competent and confident snowboarder within the next few months.

 

 Point 3:

 The helicopter will only take me up the mountain after I have demonstrated that I am an able snowboarder.

 

   Diary extracts... 

 

 01/03/06 - Training session in Chamonix, with Instructor Keith McKintosh.   
I was on my edge and going across the slope and had picked up some speed.  I was waiting for Keith to give me the signal so I could turn on to my other edge and traverse across the other way.  However my earpiece went quiet and then I heard someone who did not have the hardcore rugged Scottish tones of Keith, it was a French woman (or possibly Spanish) saying something in her sweet accent but obviously unrelated to my plight!  I was getting faster and faster, no Keith, and a French/ Spanish woman in my ear!!! Out of desperation I make the decision to turn....

 ... to read more, visit my blog at www.feeltheedge.com

  Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ActionAid will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

 So please sponsor me now!

 Many thanks for your support!

 I would like to thank the companies that have supported me:

 The White Face resort, Lake Placid provided complementary Ski lift passes and access to an instructor for the 4 days in December 2005.

 Hilton Lake Placid kindly provided accommodation for the 4 nights I was in Lake Placid .

 Easyjet has agreed to provide complimentary flights to the training sessions in Chamonix, .  

 McNab Snowboarding have provided me with complimentary accommodation and snowboarding instruction in Chamonix .

 Selected Media Coverage:

  http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/?SecID=1&ArID=161931

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4744128.stm

 http://www.snowsphere.com/articles/bigblind/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest
Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
Anonymous 01/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21  
sharny sharny sharny 04/02/2008 £25.00 n/a hi adi, im very very proud to count you as a close friend x 
ED 24/12/2007 £22.00 £6.21 FANTASTIC. People like Adil restore your faith in humanity GOOD LUCK & CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS 
Tristan Jove 16/12/2007 £5.00 £1.41  
anonymous 03/10/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
Fiona (from the train) 24/08/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Hi Adi, sorry it's taken me so long to finally donate.Great meeting you Fiona x  
Daniel Venn 02/07/2007 £10.00 n/a Sorry it's not much :(, but all the best! 
DonaldH 29/06/2007 £50.00 £14.10  
jhsmurray 24/06/2007 £20.00 n/a Adi- Best of luck on your endeavor! 
Nikki Wilson 30/05/2007 £20.00 n/a Well done, a truly amazing display of bravery! 
Dipika 25/05/2007 £10.00 £2.82 I came across your fundraising page on the justgiving website. You are an INSPIRATION to all. 
Jim Megson 23/05/2007 £50.00 n/a  
Patrick Meurier 21/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
jun 20/05/2007 £10.00 n/a  
H 14/05/2007 £10.00 £2.82 A friend forwarded me the link to your site. What a challenge! Awsome! 
Michelle Simon 10/05/2007 £30.00 £8.46 Welldone Ads 
mark dickinson 09/05/2007 £10.00 £2.82  
www.Practical-Experience.com 06/05/2007 £27.00 n/a Hurrah,congratulations to uniquel achievement, Should be in Winter Olympics+Guiness Book of Records 
Becky 05/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Amazing achievement. 
TomBroxton 05/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Congratulations! Awsome descent (and great video)! 
hammersg 05/05/2007 £3.00 n/a  
Anne Rivers 04/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64 You are an inspiration - well done! 
m noorani 04/05/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Saw interview on BBC. Inspiring effort. Hope u acheive ur target and the funds get to the children 
James Latimer 02/05/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Inspirational Adil. Congratulations, keep on riding! 
Sarah Hingston 02/05/2007 £20.00 n/a Congrats on your descent Adi! Was great to meet you too.  
Gareth 01/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Congrats Adi - glad you ripped it! I'd love to go on a heli! Gareth - McNab BCI Feb 07 Vet. 
Allan Green 01/05/2007 £100.00 £28.21 Good Cause, Rip It Up & Good Luck 
Dale 01/05/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
jane barclay 30/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 What an amazing undertaking and a great cause - good luck! 
Gaby de Pace 30/04/2007 £5.00 £1.41  
Natasha 30/04/2007 £5.00 £1.41 wow - what an amazing feat. congratulations on the descent  
Fauzia Kidwai 30/04/2007 £50.00 n/a  
Hester Sheardown 30/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82  
Tony 29/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck,  
nigel baird 29/04/2007 £100.00 £28.21  
anonymous 28/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
www.PRACTICAL-EXPERIENCE.com 28/04/2007 £16.58 n/a I hope your earphones include the songs of praise we have for you 
Nick Laing 28/04/2007 £20.00 n/a Great cause good luck.  
Jim 28/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck Adi 
Kiki 27/04/2007 £100.00 n/a You are one CRAZY MAN. Good luck and THANK YOU 
Omar 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
allenwlee 27/04/2007 £25.00 n/a go down that way, really fast, and if anything gets in your way....turn 
extremeneil 27/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 good luck adi from extremeneil (gb) 
Whump (Goneboarding) 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Go for it Adi!  
Ginger Whinger 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 The adventure is about to begin. Good luck Adi! 
Amnah 27/04/2007 £20.00 n/a Good luck! Make a difference! 
Anonymous 27/04/2007 £5.00 n/a  
Gavin Langford 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
sovia 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 You are crazy adil...but all the best...come down in one piece inshaAllah :) 
Jenny at Traveleyes 27/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Adi! 
jill mike and scott hamalienko 27/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 good luck 
neilsimister 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Awesome achwivement, Adi 
Nijma Khan 27/04/2007 £40.00 £11.28 Good Luck! 
John Myles 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck mate, I've got a lot of respect for what you're doing. All the best 
Simon Edmonds 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Well done and good luck 
3 in 1 Xtra (Fast Food Glasgow) 27/04/2007 £230.00 n/a We wish you all the best for this outstanding event. Safe Boarding! 
Glaswegian Muslimah 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 May Allah grant you success and reward your intentions! 
andrew 27/04/2007 £100.00 £28.21  
Sumi 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Oh hi! 
James Norrie 27/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Best of luck! 
HG 27/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 good luck 
Jennie Sandall 26/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Adil, enjoy it!! 
Shabs 26/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 You're an inspiration to us all! 
Elloa 25/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 You are an incredible inspiration. Thank you for reminding me what life's truly about. Amen! 
Bodz 25/04/2007 £3.92 £1.11  
syed 25/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 good luck 
Chor Ip 25/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 All the best Adi! Can't believe you gave up climbing for this... :-P 
Adrian Sie 25/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Sohail's neighbour 
Elizna's sis 24/04/2007 £20.00 n/a Souds crazy - but crazy what it takes these days to get ppl to part with their pounds... Good luck! 
Colin Mann 23/04/2007 £2.50 £0.71 A friend of Chor-Ip. Good luck 
Rob`s Mum 23/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 God`s Speed -Adil 
Teresa Goslar 23/04/2007 £30.00 £8.46 Good luck! Let me know how it goes. Don't you owe me a coffee or something ;-) 
pips from AJK 23/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 keep up the outstanding work for a worthy cause. 
Khalida 23/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82 what a great way to raise money, all the best and keep up the good work! 
Humaira (you big sis) 23/04/2007 £80.00 n/a Hey Adi a little something from the fundraising we did. 
fran 21/04/2007 £5.00 £1.41  
sophie 20/04/2007 £20.00 n/a All the best of luck Adil!!! 
David 20/04/2007 £20.00 n/a Really inspiring, all the best! 
Bilal Adam 20/04/2007 £5.00 n/a Crazy bru! I'm behind u all the way! 
estellevdw 20/04/2007 £20.00 n/a  
jason horton 18/04/2007 £20.00 n/a speed is your friend! 
Aman Cheema 18/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Inspiring 
julia harvie-liddel 17/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck! Hope you get good conditions for your big adventure! 
Chalet Ski Station Chamonix 16/04/2007 £15.00 n/a Hi Adi a little donation from the chalet was lovely having you stay with us over the weekend 
Rachel Phillips 16/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck! 
Rugena Ali 15/04/2007 £20.00 n/a May Allah give you Success. 
SAM CLARK 10/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Wrap up warm as you might get a chill  
Hajra 08/04/2007 £20.00 n/a I pray you're successful and that you raise alot more than the target  
Sadia 05/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 What an impressive feat! May Allah(swt) reward you for all your efforts. 
Laura Stout 05/04/2007 £5.00 £1.41 I saw your poster in Accenture and I was amazed at what you're doing!! Best of luck! 
Paresh Pithiya 05/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck and enjoy the ride! 
ahmad 04/04/2007 £30.00 £8.46 best of luck, may allah reward your charity efforts, dude!  
Amjid 03/04/2007 £100.00 £28.21 May God reward you for your efforts 
Kate Harrington 03/04/2007 £10.00 £2.82  
s ahmed 03/04/2007 £50.00 £14.10 May Allah make it easy for you... 
Paul Clayton 03/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
Rabeea (Facebook Pal) 03/04/2007 £20.00 £5.64  
Robert Collier (Facebook Pal) 03/04/2007 £2.00 n/a  
Auro 02/04/2007 £20.00 n/a Incredible initiative - make sure to come back... 
Jameel 02/04/2007 £2.00 n/a  
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